Steve Holtje: September 23, 2007

20 Years Ago, Part 1

Because I like round-numbered anniversaries, I’m going to spend three weeks looking back at my favorite albums of 1987. Most of the choices this week are pretty obvious; less familiar stuff shows up further down the list.

1. Sonic Youth – Sister (SST then, Geffen now)

   IMO, their best album.

2. Prince – Sign ‘O’ the Times (Paisley Park/Warner Bros.)

   At the peak of his powers, he had so many good songs that even a double LP contained no chaff.

3. The Cure – Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (Elektra then, Rhino now)

   Another double and a tour de force. Get the two-CD Rhino reissue that came out last year, not only because the extra material’s fascinating but also because the original CD didn’t have all the LP’s tracks.

4. U2 – The Joshua Tree (Island)

   Positively iconic.

5. Husker Du – Warehouse: Songs and Stories (Warner Bros.)

   Yeah, it was a good year for double LPs.

6. Warren Zevon – Sentimental Hygiene (Virgin)

   After falling off the wagon and not making an album for five years, Zevon moved away from his L.A. sound by hiring R.E.M. (minus Michael Stipe) as his backing band. “Trouble Waiting to Happen” is the high point, and there’s not a weak cut. Arguably his best LP.

7. Power Tools – Strange Meeting (Antilles)

   This alternative jazz supergroup of guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Melvin Gibbs, and drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson produced only one studio album, toured a bit (there’s a London bootleg), then went their separate ways. It’s a shame that this album of atmospheric, moody instrumentals is out of print.

8. Dinosaur Jr. – You’re Living All Over Me (SST then, Merge now)

   The album on which their full power emerged.

9. Suzanne Vega – Solitude Standing (A&M)

   Much more than just “Luka.” Shadowy, enigmatic, tightly structured singer-songwriter material rocked up just enough.

10. Public Enemy – Yo! Bum Rush the Show (Def Jam)

    A helluva debut. They’d get better in the next few years, of course, especially lyrically, but there’s a purity of sound here that’s stunning.